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Engineering Technology

1 schools compared · Average earnings $49,110/yr

What Engineering Technology Graduates Do

Your work will bridge the gap between digital designs and the physical world. As a surveying technician, you'll spend your days outdoors, using robotic total stations, GPS receivers, and drones to map land for new construction and infrastructure. Or you could work indoors as an engineering technologist, testing the strength of new materials in a lab, calibrating manufacturing equipment on a factory floor, or helping build the first working prototype of a new product.

You'll typically start by assisting a senior technician or licensed professional. As you build skills, you can progress to leading a field crew, becoming a senior technologist specializing in a specific system, or even earning licensure to run your own surveying firm. Your earnings grow substantially as you move from an assistant to an independent, high-skilled specialist. Fields like surveying and cartography are seeing solid growth, ensuring steady demand. While AI may help analyze data or automate some design tasks, it can’t operate equipment in the field or troubleshoot a physical prototype—that hands-on expertise remains firmly in your hands.

Schools Offering

Avg Grad Earnings

$49,110/yr

Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score

40/100

AI-Proof Rating

Resilient

62% of tasks AI-shielded

Apprenticeship Paths

View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 19 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Engineering Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship	Training Hours	Type	Salary RangeSalary	Growth
Additive 3D Printing Technician RAPIDS 2078HY	2000-4000 hrs	Hybrid	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Chief Of Party (Prof & Kin) RAPIDS 53	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$44K – $51,940 – $65K	4.5%
Geodetic Computator RAPIDS 217	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$44K – $51,940 – $65K	4.5%
Geospatial Specialist RAPIDS 1062CB	Competency	Competency	$63K – $78,380 – $100K	6.4%
Heat Transfer Technician RAPIDS 257	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$57K – $68,730 – $83K	0.0%
Industrial Manufacturing Technician RAPIDS 2031HY	2736-3000 hrs	Hybrid	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Industrial Manufacturing Technician (Alternate Title: Manafacturing Production Techician) RAPIDS 2031CB	Competency	Competency	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Laboratory Asst, Metallurgical RAPIDS 621	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Mechanical Engineering Technician RAPIDS 777	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$57K – $68,730 – $83K	0.0%
Mechanical Engineering Technician RAPIDS 0777CB	Competency	Competency	$57K – $68,730 – $83K	0.0%
Non-Destructive Tester RAPIDS 1010	2000 hrs ~1.0 yrs	Time	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Non-Destructive Tester RAPIDS 1010CL	Competency	Competency	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Nondestructive Testing (Ndt) (Existing Title: Non-Destructive Tester) (Military Only) RAPIDS 1010R	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Optics Manufacturing Technician RAPIDS 2045CB	Competency	Competency	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%
Optomechanical Technician RAPIDS 368	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$57K – $68,730 – $83K	0.0%
Photogrammetric Technician RAPIDS 546	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$44K – $51,940 – $65K	4.5%
Surveyor Assistant Instrument RAPIDS 551	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$44K – $51,940 – $65K	4.5%
Tool Design Checker RAPIDS 587	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$57K – $68,730 – $83K	0.0%
Welding Technician RAPIDS 498	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$60K – $77,390 – $98K	1.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Engineering Technology

1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

#	School	Score	EarningsEarn	ROI
1	Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA	47 43–49	$49,110/yr	12.7x

Highest Earning Engineering Technology Programs

Schools where Engineering Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	Score
Pennsylvania College of Technology	$49,110/yr	47

Best ROI for Engineering Technology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Engineering Technology.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	Score
Pennsylvania College of Technology	12.7x	$49,110/yr	47

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Engineering Technology degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Engineering Technology graduates earn?

First-year earnings for Engineering Technology graduates average $49,110 annually, based on data from 1 programs. The range spans $49,110 at the low end to $49,110 at the top.

How safe is Engineering Technology from automation and AI?

Engineering Technology is rated "Resilient" for AI resilience — 62% of job tasks involve hands-on work shielded from AI automation. That means most career tasks in this field rely on skills AI cannot replicate.

Which school has the best Engineering Technology program?

Our data ranks Pennsylvania College of Technology first among 1 Engineering Technology programs. Its score of 47/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($49,110/yr), return on investment, and career durability.

Do Engineering Technology graduates get a good return on their tuition?

On average, Engineering Technology graduates earn 12.7x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.

Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →